A BABYLONIAN ENTERPRISE

How the Local Church Became a Business, Lost the Gospel, and Produces Cultural Christians Instead of Disciples

Or, a better subtitle could be… “Why Jesus Would Overturn Tables in Most Sunday Services…”

INTRODUCTION: THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH

“You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1)

Let’s be real.

Not mean. Not condemning for the sake of condemnation.

But honest. Authentic. Raw.

Because the local church in America—and specifically in the Great Basin Region—needs to look in the mirror and confront what it has become.

What it ACTUALLY is, not what it claims to be.

And here’s the uncomfortable reality:

The modern American church looks nothing like the Church in Acts.

It looks exactly like:

- A business following Harvard Business School principles

- A social club for nice people

- A therapy center with worship music

- A motivational speaking event with Bible verses

- A community organization doing good deeds

- A entertainment venue with Christian branding

- A Babylonian enterprise baptized in religious language

It graduates from:

- Townsend Institute (psychology degree with a Christian veneer)

- Dallas Theological Seminary (solid doctrine, zero power)

- Chuck Smith’s Calvary Chapel model (casual, contemporary, “come as you are” - stay as you
are)

- Wannabe Harvard Business School (growth strategies, metrics, leadership development)

And it produces:

- Consumers, not disciples

- Attendees, not followers

- Christians by name only

- Cultural Christians who look exactly like the world

- People who love Jesus on Sunday but serve SELF Monday-Saturday

The local church has:

- Abandoned the Scriptures (for cultural relevance)

- Watered down the Gospel (to reach more people)

- Eliminated the offense of the cross (to fill seats)

- Become indistinguishable from society (just barely hovering over societal norms)

- Chosen popularity over prophetic voice

- Prioritized growth over godliness

- Built Babylon with steeples

This is not to condemn for condemnation’s sake.

This is to WAKE UP the Bride before the Groom returns.

Because when Jesus comes back, He’s not looking for:

- Big buildings
- Large budgets
- Popular pastors
- Impressive programs
- Cultural acceptance
- Business success

He’s looking for a BRIDE without spot or wrinkle.

And right now, the American church is COVERED in spots and wrinkles.

It’s time to be honest.

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PART 1: THE BUSINESS MODEL

What It Looks Like

Walk into most churches in the Great Basin Region and you’ll find:

THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE:

- CEO (Senior Pastor)

- Executive Team (Executive Pastor, Worship Pastor, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor)

- Board of Directors (Elders/Board - often functioning as business advisors, not spiritual shepherds)

- Department Heads (Ministry Leaders)

- HR Department (Staff recruiting, benefits, performance reviews)

- Marketing Team (Communications, social media, branding)

- Finance Team (Budget management, fundraising, campaigns)

THE BUSINESS METRICS:

- Attendance numbers (the primary measure of “success”)

- Giving totals (budget goals, capital campaigns)

- Growth percentages (year-over-year comparisons)

- Market share (how many people in the region attend)

- Brand recognition (church reputation in community)

- Customer satisfaction (are people happy with the services?)

THE STRATEGIC PLANNING:

- Vision casting (where we want to be in 5 years)

- Mission statements (corporate-speak with God words)

- Core values (usually 3-5 alliterative words)

- Strategic initiatives (programs to grow the organization)

- Leadership development (training managers)

- Succession planning (who takes over when the CEO leaves)

THE MARKETING:

- Slick websites

- Professional videos

- Instagram-worthy graphics

- Targeted social media ads

- SEO optimization

- “Invite your friends” campaigns

- Easter and Christmas production extravaganzas

THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE:

- Professional greeters (make people feel welcome)

- Coffee bar (Starbucks-quality, of course)

- Comfortable seating (theater-style)

- Excellent childcare (parents won’t come back if kids aren’t happy)

- Clean facilities (first impressions matter)

- Convenient parking (remove barriers to attendance)

- Multiple service times (accommodate busy schedules)

What’s Wrong With This?

Everything.

Not because these things are inherently evil.

But because this is a BUSINESS MODEL, not a CHURCH MODEL.

The New Testament Church:

- Had no buildings
- Had no budgets
- Had no programs
- Had no professional staff
- Had no marketing
- Had no customer experience optimization

What did it have?

- The Gospel - Preached with power

- The Holy Spirit - Moving with authority

- Disciples - Willing to die for Christ

- Community - Sharing everything in common

- Prayer - Constant, fervent, desperate

- Persecution - Because they threatened the system

- Transformation - Lives radically changed

Acts 2:42-47

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles… And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Notice what’s NOT mentioned:

- Strategic planning sessions
- Marketing campaigns
- Attendance goals
- Budget projections
- Leadership conferences
- Building programs

The early church focused on:

- Teaching (apostles’ doctrine)
- Fellowship (genuine community)
- Breaking bread (communion, shared meals)
- Prayer (constant communication with God)
- Awe (reverence for God’s power)
- Signs and wonders (Holy Spirit manifestation)

And God added to their numbers.

Not their marketing.
Not their programs.
GOD.

The Fundamental Problem

The American church has adopted a business model because:

It measures success by worldly metrics (bigger, better, more)

It operates by human wisdom (strategic planning) not Holy Spirit leading

It prioritizes GROWTH over GODLINESS

It treats people as CUSTOMERS to attract rather than SINNERS to transform

It builds ORGANIZATIONS instead of making DISCIPLES

This is BABYLON with a Christian logo.

It’s Cain building a city and naming it after himself.

It’s Nimrod saying “Let us make a NAME for ourselves.”

It’s self-effort, self-promotion, self-glorification - dressed in Sunday clothes.

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PART 2: THE SERMON STYLE

What You Hear

The typical sermon in a Great Basin church:

THE OPENING:

- Funny story or pop culture reference (break the ice, make people comfortable)

- Self-deprecating humor (show you’re relatable)

- “Let’s start with a question…” (engage the audience)

THE BODY:

- Life application principles (3-5 points, alliterated if possible)

- Psychological insights (Townsend Institute training showing up)

- Cultural commentary (reference current events, movies, sports)

- Motivational encouragement (you can do it!)

- Sprinkled Bible verses (proof-texts taken out of context)

- Maybe Greek/Hebrew word study (Dallas Seminary showing up)

- Personal illustrations (stories from pastor’s life)

THE CLOSE:

- Practical takeaways (how to apply this week)

- Challenge to “do better”

- Maybe an invitation (but soft, non-offensive)

- Prayer

- Closing song

THE LENGTH: 30-35 minutes (can’t go longer, people get restless)

What’s Missing

Compare that to apostolic preaching:

PETER at Pentecost (Acts 2):

- Directly confronted sin (“You crucified the Lord!”)

- Demanded repentance

- Declared judgment

- Offered salvation through Christ alone

- 3,000 saved in one day

STEPHEN before martyrdom (Acts 7):

- Recounted Israel’s history of rebellion
- Called them stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart
- Accused them of resisting the Holy Spirit
- They killed him for it

PAUL in Athens (Acts 17):

- Declared the unknown God
- Called them to repentance
- Warned of coming judgment
- Proclaimed the resurrection
- Some mocked, some believed

PAUL in Ephesus (Acts 19-20):

- Taught daily in the hall of Tyrannus

- Performed extraordinary miracles

- People brought items to be burned

- Warned of savage wolves coming

- “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God”

JOHN THE BAPTIST:

“You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?… The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:7, 10)

The Contrast

Modern preaching:

- Avoids offense
- Focuses on felt needs
- Gives practical tips
- Makes you feel good
- Sends you home unchanged

Apostolic preaching:

- Confronted sin
- Demanded repentance
- Declared judgment
- Transformed lives
- Got them killed

2 Timothy 4:2-4

“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

THAT TIME HAS COME.

The modern church preaches:

- “7 Steps to a Better Marriage”
- “Finding Your Purpose”
- “Overcoming Anxiety”
- “Financial Peace”
- “Parenting with Grace”
- “Living Your Best Life”

NOT:

- Repentance from sin
- The wrath of God
- Hell and judgment
- The exclusivity of Christ
- Dying to self
- Taking up your cross
- Suffering for righteousness

Why?

Because hard truth empties seats.

And empty seats mean lower budgets.

And lower budgets threaten the business model.

The tail is wagging the dog.

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PART 3: THE GOSPEL - WATERED DOWN

What’s Preached

The typical “gospel” presentation in modern churches:

“God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. You’re valuable, special, and God wants you to be happy. Jesus died so you can have abundant life - better relationships, more peace, greater purpose. Just pray this prayer, invite Jesus into your heart, and you’ll go to heaven when you die. Welcome to the family!”

Response: Walk the aisle, pray a prayer, shake the pastor’s hand, get baptized in a few weeks, join a small group.

Result: You’re now a “Christian” - continue living basically the same life, but now you attend church on Sundays.

What’s Missing

The ACTUAL Gospel:

You are a SINNER - Not just “made mistakes,” but in active rebellion against a holy God

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

You are under WRATH - God’s righteous anger is upon you

“He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36)

You deserve HELL - Eternal conscious torment separated from God

“These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

You CANNOT save yourself - No amount of good works will help

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Jesus died as your SUBSTITUTE - Taking the wrath you deserved

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

You must REPENT - Turn from sin, turn to Christ

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19)

You must BELIEVE - Trust Christ alone for salvation

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)

Jesus is LORD - Not just Savior, but Master of your life

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)

You will be TRANSFORMED - Old things pass away, all things become new

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You must FOLLOW - Discipleship is not optional

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23)

Why the Difference?

The modern “gospel”:

- Doesn’t mention sin (too negative)
- Doesn’t mention wrath (too scary)
- Doesn’t mention hell (too offensive)
- Doesn’t mention repentance (too demanding)
- Doesn’t mention Lordship (too controlling)
- Doesn’t mention transformation (too much to ask)
- Doesn’t mention cost (too discouraging)

It’s a FALSE GOSPEL.

Galatians 1:6-9

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

ACCURSED.

Not “mistaken.”

ACCURSED.

The Result: False Converts

The modern church is FULL of people who:

- Prayed a prayer but never repented

- “Accepted Jesus” but never surrendered to His Lordship

- Got baptized but were never born again

- Joined the church but never joined the Body of Christ

- Call themselves Christians but live like the world

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”

MANY.

Not a few. MANY.

They called Him “Lord.”
They did miracles in His name.
But He NEVER KNEW THEM.

This describes the majority of people sitting in American churches on Sunday morning.

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PART 4: THE CULTURE - INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE WORLD

The Test

Can you tell the difference between:

- A Christian and a non-Christian in the grocery store?

- A Christian family and a non-Christian family at the park?

- A Christian businessman and a non-Christian businessman at work?

- A Christian teenager and a non-Christian teenager at school?

In most cases: NO.

Why?

Because the church has CONFORMED to the culture instead of being TRANSFORMED by Christ.

Romans 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The American church:

- Dresses like the world
- Talks like the world
- Entertains itself like the world
- Spends money like the world
- Prioritizes comfort like the world
- Pursues success like the world
- Loves possessions like the world
- Fears persecution like the world
- Seeks acceptance like the world

Just with a Jesus bumper sticker.

What Jesus Said

John 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

1 John 2:15-17

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

James 4:4

“You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

The early church was HATED by the world.

Why?

Because they were DIFFERENT.

They:

- Refused to worship Caesar
- Wouldn’t participate in pagan festivals
- Lived radically generous lives
- Cared for the poor and outcasts
- Proclaimed Jesus as the ONLY way
- Were willing to die rather than deny Christ

They THREATENED the system.

The modern church?

The world LOVES us.

We fit right in.

We’re nice, safe, non-threatening, culturally acceptable.

And that should TERRIFY us.

Because Jesus said the world would HATE His followers.

If the world doesn’t hate you, are you really following Jesus?

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PART 5: THE PROGRAMS - BUSY BUT UNFRUITFUL

What’s Offered

The typical church calendar:

SUNDAYS:

- Multiple worship services (8am, 9:30am, 11am)
- Sunday School (age-graded classes)
- Children’s church
- Youth group

WEEKNIGHTS:

- Small groups (fellowship and light Bible study)
- Men’s ministry
- Women’s ministry
- Youth group (games, message, pizza)
- AWANA or children’s program
- Recovery groups (12-step with Jesus language)
- Bible studies (usually topical, feel-good)

MONTHLY:

- Service projects (community outreach)
- Special events (concerts, guest speakers)
- Leadership meetings
- Committee meetings

ANNUALLY:

- VBS (Vacation Bible School)
- Summer camp
- Mission trips
- Christmas program
- Easter production
- Fall festival (not Halloween, we’re Christian!)
- Men’s retreat
- Women’s retreat
- Youth retreat

The Problem

NONE OF THIS IS MAKING DISCIPLES.

It’s just ACTIVITY.

People are BUSY but not TRANSFORMED.

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you”

MAKE DISCIPLES.

Not:

- Run programs
- Host events
- Fill calendars
- Keep people busy
- Provide entertainment
- Offer services

MAKE DISCIPLES.

What is a disciple?

Someone who:

- Denies himself
- Takes up his cross daily
- Follows Jesus
- Obeys His commands
- Loves Him supremely
- Lives radically different from the world
- Makes other disciples

How many people in your church fit that description?

5%? 10%? 1%?

The rest are CONSUMERS.

Consuming:

- Sermons (like TED talks)
- Worship (like concerts)
- Programs (like club activities)
- Services (like customers)

Giving nothing. Changing nothing. Costing nothing.

Just showing up, consuming, and leaving the same.

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PART 6: THE WORSHIP - ENTERTAINMENT OR ENCOUNTER?

What It Looks Like

Modern worship services:

THE SETUP:

- Stage (not a platform, a STAGE)
- Professional lighting (concert-quality)
- Fog machines (for atmosphere)
- High-end sound system
- Multiple cameras (for livestream)
- Screens with lyrics and graphics

THE BAND:

- Worship pastor (lead vocalist)
- Backup singers (harmonies)
- Electric guitar
- Bass guitar
- Drums
- Keyboard/piano
- Sometimes strings or brass

THE SETLIST:

- 3-4 contemporary worship songs
- All from the same 20 songs on Christian radio
- Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation, Chris Tomlin
- Emotionally-driven
- Focus on feelings
- “Sing it like you mean it!”

THE EXPERIENCE:

- Hands raised (but not too high, don’t be weird)
- Eyes closed (getting “in the zone”)
- Swaying to the music
- Sometimes dancing (if you’re charismatic)
- Emotional response (crying is encouraged)
- “I felt God’s presence!” (was it God or the music?)

The Question

Is this WORSHIP or ENTERTAINMENT?

How do you know if you encountered GOD or just got emotionally manipulated by a talented band?

Test:

- If you turned off the lights, removed the band, silenced the music…

- If it was just you in a plain room with a Bible and the Holy Spirit…

Would God still show up?

Or was the “presence” you felt just production value?

What Worship Actually Is

Romans 12:1

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

WORSHIP = A LIVING SACRIFICE

Not a song.

Your LIFE.

Every moment. Every decision. Every breath.

In HOLINESS.

John 4:23-24

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

IN SPIRIT - By the power of the Holy Spirit, not emotional manipulation

IN TRUTH - According to God’s Word, not feelings

Singing is a PART of worship.

But it’s not the WHOLE.

And if your “worship” is just singing songs on Sunday while living like the world Monday-Saturday:

IT’S NOT WORSHIP.

IT’S PERFORMANCE.

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PART 7: THE LEADERSHIP - CELEBRITY PASTORS

The Model

The modern church has created CELEBRITY PASTORS:

THE ROLE:

- Primary teacher/communicator
- Vision caster
- Face of the organization
- Brand ambassador
- Motivational speaker
- Executive leader
- Sometimes author, conference speaker

THE LIFESTYLE:

- Six-figure salary (or more)
- Book deals
- Conference circuit
- Social media following
- Protected from criticism (“touch not God’s anointed”)
- Surrounded by yes-men
- Isolated from real accountability

THE PROBLEM:

This is NOT biblical eldership.

Biblical elders are:

- Plurality (multiple elders, not one celebrity)

- Servants (not CEOs)

- Shepherds (caring for sheep, not building empires)

- Teachers of God’s Word (not motivational speakers)

- Examples of godliness (living what they preach)

- Accountable to each other (not isolated at the top)

1 Peter 5:1-3

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”

NOT:

- Under compulsion → But VOLUNTARILY
- For sordid gain → But with EAGERNESS
- Lording over → But as EXAMPLES

The celebrity pastor model violates ALL of this.

The Scandals

Why do we keep seeing:

- Moral failures (affairs, porn, abuse)
- Financial impropriety (lavish lifestyles, embezzlement)
- Spiritual abuse (control, manipulation, covering up sin)
- Pride and arrogance (unteachable, unaccountable)

Because the SYSTEM is BROKEN.

One man at the top.
No real accountability.
Isolated by fame and power.
Tempted by money and influence.

It’s a recipe for disaster.

And it keeps happening.

Over. And over. And over.

The list goes on.

It’s not about “a few bad apples.”

THE SYSTEM PRODUCES BAD FRUIT.

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PART 8: THE MISSION - SOCIAL GOSPEL OR SAVING SOULS?

What Churches Focus On

Modern churches emphasize:

SOCIAL GOOD:

- Feeding the hungry
- Clothing the poor
- Building wells in Africa
- Serving the community
- Fighting human trafficking
- Caring for orphans
- Supporting refugees
- Environmental stewardship
- Racial reconciliation
- Social justice

These are all GOOD things.

But they’re not the PRIMARY mission.

What Jesus Commanded

Matthew 28:18-20

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

THE MISSION: MAKE DISCIPLES.

Not:

- Make the world better
- Solve social problems
- Feed every hungry person
- End poverty
- Fight injustice

MAKE DISCIPLES.

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

THE MISSION: SAVE THE LOST.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

THE MISSION: ETERNAL LIFE through faith in Christ.

The Problem with the Social Gospel

If you:

- Feed someone but don’t give them Jesus → They go to hell with a full stomach

- Clothe someone but don’t give them Jesus → They go to hell well-dressed

- Build them a well but don’t give them Jesus → They go to hell with clean water

- End their poverty but don’t give them Jesus → They go to hell comfortable

What have you actually done for them?

NOTHING of eternal value.

Mark 8:36

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?”

The church has become so focused on TEMPORAL needs that it’s ignoring ETERNAL SOULS.

This is not to say we shouldn’t care about physical needs.

Jesus fed people. Healed people. Cared for people.

But He NEVER did it without also addressing their SPIRITUAL need.

And He was CLEAR:

The SOUL is more important than the BODY.

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PART 9: THE GREAT BASIN REALITY

What I See

Looking at churches in the Great Basin Region:

THE GOOD:

- Some solid biblical teaching (Dallas Seminary training)
- Genuine love for people
- Desire to reach the community
- Good intentions

THE CONCERNING:

- Therapy integrated with Scripture (Townsend Institute influence)

- Business model prioritized over Spirit-led ministry

- Cultural relevance valued over biblical confrontation

- Seeker-sensitive approach diluting the Gospel

- Programs replacing discipleship

- Entertainment replacing worship

- Numerical growth prioritized over spiritual depth

- Comfortable Christianity accepted as normal

THE RESULT:

A church that looks exactly like the culture.

Just barely hovering over societal norms.

Not prophetic. Not transformative. Not threatening to the system.

Just… nice.

Safe.

Comfortable.

And DEAD.

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PART 10: WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY?

If Jesus Walked into Your Church

Would He:

Commend it? (Like Philadelphia)

Or rebuke it? (Like Laodicea)

Let’s be honest.

If Jesus evaluated most American churches using the same standard He used for the seven churches in Revelation:

Most would be REBUKED.

“You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” (Sardis)

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot… So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Laodicea)

“I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Ephesus)

“I have this against you, that you tolerate [false teaching].” (Thyatira)

What Would Jesus Do?

Remember what Jesus DID when He entered the temple and found it had become a BUSINESS?

John 2:13-16

“And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, ‘Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.’”

HE OVERTURNED TABLES.

Why?

Because they turned His Father’s house into a BUSINESS.

Sound familiar?

What do you think Jesus would do if He walked into most American churches today?

Would He commend the coffee bar, bookstore, and slick production?

Or would He overturn some tables?

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PART 11: THE CALL - WHAT MUST CHANGE

For the Church

1. REPENT

Stop pretending everything is fine.

Admit:

- We’ve become a business
- We’ve watered down the Gospel
- We’ve conformed to culture
- We’ve produced consumers, not disciples
- We’ve prioritized growth over godliness
- We’ve loved the world
- We’ve become Babylon with a Christian logo

REPENT.

2. RETURN TO SCRIPTURE

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Stop integrating:

- Psychology
- Business principles
- Cultural wisdom
- Human strategies

SCRIPTURE ALONE.

3. PREACH THE WHOLE GOSPEL

Stop tickling ears.

Preach:

- Sin and its consequences
- Wrath and judgment
- Hell and damnation
- Repentance and faith
- Lordship of Christ
- Cost of discipleship
- Coming persecution

ALL OF IT.

4. MAKE DISCIPLES

Not:

- Consumers
- Attendees
- Members
- Volunteers

DISCIPLES.

People who:

- Die to self
- Take up their cross
- Follow Jesus
- Obey His commands
- Make other disciples

5. BE DIFFERENT

Stop conforming to culture.

Be:

- Radically generous
- Sacrificially loving
- Courageously truthful
- Distinctly holy
- Countercultural
- Willing to suffer

6. ELIMINATE THE BUSINESS MODEL

You’re not a CEO.

You’re a SHEPHERD.

Stop:

- Strategic planning (trust the Spirit)
- Marketing campaigns (preach the Gospel)
- Metrics obsession (God adds to His church)
- Growth strategies (make disciples, God multiplies)
- Customer service (call sinners to repentance)

7. PURSUE GOD, NOT GROWTH

Acts 2:47

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

THE LORD adds.

Not your programs.

When you:

- Preach the Gospel faithfully
- Live holy lives
- Love genuinely
- Make disciples

GOD will grow His church.

Trust HIM.

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PART 12: FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

What You Can Do

If you’re in a church like this, you have options:

1. PRAY

Pray for:

- Your pastor
- Your elders
- Your church
- Awakening
- Repentance
- Revival

2. SPEAK TRUTH

Gently, lovingly, but CLEARLY:

- Share concerns with leadership
- Ask hard questions
- Point to Scripture
- Call for change

3. BE THE CHANGE

In your own life:

- Die to self
- Live radically
- Make disciples
- Be salt and light
- Don’t conform

4. LEAVE IF NECESSARY

If your church:

- Refuses to preach the Gospel
- Tolerates false teaching
- Prioritizes growth over truth
- Is more business than body

LEAVE.

Find a church that:

- Preaches Scripture faithfully
- Proclaims the full Gospel
- Makes disciples
- Lives distinctly
- Pursues holiness

Or start one.

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PART 13: THE URGENCY

The Day Is Near

Jesus is coming back.

SOON.

And when He returns:

He’s not looking for:

- Big buildings
- Large budgets
- Impressive programs
- Celebrity pastors
- Cultural acceptance

He’s looking for:

Revelation 19:7

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

A BRIDE.

Without spot or wrinkle.

Ephesians 5:27

“that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

HOLY.

BLAMELESS.

Is that your church?

Is that YOU?

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CONCLUSION: THE MIRROR

This is not condemnation for condemnation’s sake.

This is LOVE.

Because the church I LOVE is in DANGER.

She has:

- Prostituted herself to the world
- Committed adultery with Babylon
- Conformed to culture
- Lost her first love
- Become lukewarm

And Jesus is CALLING HER BACK.

Revelation 3:19-20

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

He LOVES us.

That’s why He REBUKES us.

That’s why He DISCIPLINES us.

That’s why He CALLS us to REPENT.

The question is:

Will we HEAR His voice?

Will we OPEN the door?

Will we RETURN to our first love?

Or will we stay comfortable in Laodicea?

Lukewarm. Self-satisfied. Blind.

Thinking we’re rich when we’re poor.

Thinking we’re alive when we’re dead.

Thinking we’re fine when we’re about to be VOMITED OUT.

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THE FINAL WORD

To every pastor reading this:

I’m not attacking you personally.

I’m confronting a SYSTEM.

A system that:

- You inherited
- You were trained in
- You’ve never questioned
- Everyone else is doing

But it’s BROKEN.

And you know it.

Deep down, you KNOW:

- Your people aren’t being transformed
- Your programs aren’t making disciples
- Your growth is surface-level
- Your church looks exactly like the world
- Something is WRONG

This is your moment.

REPENT.

Return to Scripture.

Preach the WHOLE Gospel.

Make DISCIPLES.

Be a SHEPHERD, not a CEO.

Trust GOD, not strategies.

And watch what He does.

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To every church member reading this:

Stop being a CONSUMER.

Stop showing up to be FED without ever FEEDING others.

Stop taking without GIVING.

Stop being entertained without being TRANSFORMED.

BECOME A DISCIPLE.

Who makes OTHER DISCIPLES.

That’s the ONLY way forward.

-----

SOLI DEO GLORIA

To God Alone Be The Glory

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“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:9-12)

BE DIFFERENT.

BE HOLY.

BE THE CHURCH.

Before Jesus returns.

THE Grace Awakening

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